Sunday, February 28, 2010

DIGYO ISLAND

Digyo islandPhoto credit to Carlito Bismark

Digyo Island– [Inopacan, Leyte] *(n.) The smallest among the four islands of Cuatro Islas.
Too small that one could circumnavigate or walk completely around the
islet in less than half an hour. This is the obvious reason why the
island is called Digyo, from the old Cebuano word digyot meaning
“little.”

This islet is uninhabited by human and is a protected
sanctuary of diverse marine lives thriving in coral reefs. It has been
told that the whole islet is a private property of a well known family
in Inopacan.

It remains undeveloped with a few number of dispersed coconut trees growing around. A huge mass of white sands was
illegally hauled off in 1980’s by the quarrying business of an alleged contractor
who delivered the sacks of white sand to a prestigious hotel in Cebu
City for use in landscaping. Despite the considerable loss of white
sands, the islet still has a magnificent view, a crystal clear pristine
seawater, and white sandbar that glares on bright sunlight .

What is now missing is the what used to be a much longer and
wider beachfront. Occasionally, a handful of local picnickers and their
guests would come on-board a motorboat to spend a day of enjoying the
delight of nature’s beauty.

If
you look closely, you will notice
that the water remains pristine-clear despite the ten of us wading
around. The sands are pure coral fragments that do not muddle the water.

The island is quite small but there's more room to explore around. The beachfront is wide and the bathing area extends wide into the sea to wade through. Here, you can go snorkeling, scuba diving and watch those colorful tropical fishes and fauna, picnic, camping with bonfire or simply have an overnight stay under the stars and bare moonlight.

So
clear, the water never really turns turbid. So clear you could
mistaken the water is not very deep several meters away from the shore
because you can still see the rocks, seaweeds, and fishes under the
water.

INOPACAN-DIGYO TRIP: When you are in Inopacan, take a "pot-pot" (pedicab) ride to the Reclamation Area (formerly called Pasil). At the Reclamation Area scout for any available motorized banca (pump boat), you need to bargain the rental price (for small group less than 10 pax is most likely P1,500 and above, for more than 10 pax, P2,500 and above). You may also have to pay the gas for the boat. Boat ride to Digyo Island is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.For those who are planning for a "balikan" trip (come back to Inopacan mainland on the same day you arrive in Digyo, apparently in the afternoon), take note of the following:

A trip to and back from Digyo Island is very tiring. It would take you almost half day to reach the island if you came from a distant place in Leyte, particularly those who came from Tacloban, Ormoc, or Maasin (much more if you came from outside Leyte).

You will not enjoy the island if you just go there just to kiss the sands then go back hurriedly to the mainland. Take your time. Savor the beauty of nature.

Monsoon wind causes the sea to become very rough late in the afternoon. If you hired a small-sized boat, better stay in the island till the next morning come. Watch the beautiful sunset with a toast, then build a bonfire to warm the night, put up a tent or imitate the cast of famous TV series "The Survivor" and spend the night bonding together.

Chances are if you go back to Tacloban, Ormoc or Maasin past 3:00 PM, there will be no more public transport to catch on the road. There are some small resorts in the mainland Inopacan for an overnight stay.

The beachcombers of the white sandbar in Digyo islandPhoto credit to Carlito Bismark

Reminders:

Bring first aid kit and other survival kit as there is no hospital in town and in the island. The health center in town is usually open only during office hours.

Bring also outdoor tent as there is no cottage in the island. There is no village (or community of islanders) in this isle. The lone nipa hut in the island is not for an overnight stay, specially for a group of more than ten.

Bring enough batteries or recharge your battery pack (and bring spare batteries) as there is no power supply in the island. Cellular phone (mobile phone) signal sometime reached the island.

Help care the natural beauty of Digyo island. Bring garbage back with you as you left the island and dispose it of properly in the mainland or at home.

Observe some restrictions in the island, such us not disturbing the portion in island that is designated as sanctuary for fish, turtle and other marine lives. As much as possible, do not collect shells, corals, plants, etc. that naturally belong to the island.

Take nothing but picturesLeft nothing but footprintsKill nothing but time

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Author of Philippine Food, Cooking, and Dining Dictionary. A lexicographer since the age of 14. Filipino Linguist. Blogger with 11 blog sites. Researcher of food culture, pop culture, places, structures, transportations, churches and whatever interest him about the Philippines. Visual artist. Photographer. Traveler who had been to all four corners of the Philippine archipelago, and still setting more footprints.

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